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"Compadres, it is imperative that we crush the freedom fighters before the start of the rainy season. And remember, a shiny new donkey for whomever brings me the head of Colonel Montoya."

RUNNING BACKS
1. Mike James, Bucs – Owned in 8 percent of Yahoo leagues
Doug Martin reportedly sustained a torn labrum during Sunday’s loss to the Falcons. Although the Bucs aren’t providing any details, there’s a chance he’s done for the season. That means the feature back job belongs to Mike James, a sixth-round rookie who was a committee back during his time at The U. For a profile on James as a prospect, I recommend this read from Dumonjic Allen. He goes 5’10/223, ran a 4.58 at the Combine and is known as an asset in the passing game (67 catches at Miami). After Martin went down on Sunday, James played 38 snaps and got 17 touches. Fullback/pass-pro specialist Brian Leonard played 22 snaps and got three touches. We can’t have especially high hopes for James because of the Bucs’ upcoming schedule (vs CAR, at SEA, vs MIA) and due to the fact that Martin was only averaging 3.59 YPC with one touchdown on the season, but there’s always upside in volume. James is a candidate for 12-15 carries and 3-5 receptions right away. He’s also a good bet to get bet any goal-line work thanks to his size.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 10-team leagues

2. Chris Ivory, Jets – Owned in 28 percent of Yahoo leagues
I had Chris Ivory as my No. 3 add at running back last week on the heels of Mike Goodson’s season-ending injury, but I did not expect to see what transpired against the Patriots. Ivory played on 53-of-93 snaps, rushing a staggering career-high 34 times for 104 yards. Bilal Powell, who had impressed all season long, played just 22 snaps and got a grand total of three touches. After the game, coach Rex Ryan confirmed this had nothing to do with a minor neck injury Powell had been nursing. Ivory got the hot hand and the gameplan was to pound the Pats depleted front seven up the gut. Most weeks, I’d expect a more even timeshare between these two backs, but we’ve long been high on Ivory’s talent. He has the ability to turn a 12-14 carry role into significant production.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 10-team leagues

3. Roy Helu, Redskins – Owned in 21 percent of Yahoo leagues
Here’s another guy that we’ve discussed in this space all season long, but is now gaining national headlines because he busted out with three touchdowns in Week 7. Chasing those scores is a bad idea, but the usage is here to stay. Helu is part of the Redskins’ “turbo” package, their no-huddle set that they’re using more and more of. So although Alfred Morris is the clear starter and goal-line back, Helu never leaves the field in turbo – even if it’s first down or the team is inside the 5-yard line. Over the last three weeks, Helu is averaging 12.3 touches per game because he’s earned it with impressive one-cut, size/speed running. And with the Redskins likely to be trailing in Denver this week, we can expect at least another 10-12 touches.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

4. Shane Vereen, Patriots – Owned in 34 percent of Yahoo leagues
We got a little news on Shane Vereen last week as he was spotted without a hard cast on his fractured wrist. At least we know the bone has stabilized and now he just has to build up strength. Vereen is eligible to come off short-term IR in Week 11 and will quickly slide back in as the passing back. That may not sound like much, but note that vastly inferior talent Brandon Bolden led the Patriots in snaps with 49 in Week 7 and is averaging 8.4 touches per game on the year. Vereen is a good bet for more like 11-13 touches once he gets going.
Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues with an IL spot or reasonably deep bench

5. Andre Brown, Giants – Owned in 14 percent of Yahoo leagues
Peyton Hillis runs like an elephant, Brandon Jacobs has a hamstring injury/runs with a piano on his back and David Wilson (neck) is out indefinitely. The Giants are desperate to get Andre Brown (leg, PUP) back in the fold when he's first eligible in Week 10. He's resumed practicing, putting him on track to step right in and start for a team that's suddenly creating some holes in the running game. Remember that Brown had eight touchdowns in 10 games last year.
Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper 12-team leagues

6. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers – Owned in 6 percent of Yahoo leagues
Stop the presses. Jonathan Stewart is expected to finally return to practice this week despite still feeling some discomfort in his ankle. Perhaps he’ll be back to a limited role in Week 9 behind DeAngelo Williams and then the Panthers will take it from there. If he looks good, we get an even timeshare. If he doesn’t he’s a strict backup. Only owners desperate at the running back spot should make a stash.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 14-team leagues

7. Peyton Hillis, Giants – Owned in 13 percent of Yahoo leagues
Around this time last week, Peyton Hillis was on his ranch in Tennessee. He thought his NFL career was over and he was not even working out. It showed on Monday night. Although Hillis produced 81 yards and a touchdown on 23 touches against the Vikings, he was awful. He admitted to having “jello legs,” which was obvious as he ran like an elephant, plowing into defenders with no burst. Brandon Jacobs (hamstring) has a chance to return in Week 8, the Giants have a bye in Week 9 and Andre Brown (leg) has a chance to return Week 10. Hillis is a desperation add for owners in a Week 8 pinch only.
Recommendation: Should be owned in 14-team leagues

Watch List: Donald Brown, Brandon Bolden, Shonn Greene, Mark Ingram, Tashard Choice, Daniel Thomas, Ray Graham – With Trent Richardson struggling so badly (and fumbling), Brown’s role is increasing toward an even committee. … Bolden is the passing back until Shane Vereen gets back (see above). … Greene only played two snaps in his return, but his role will grow and the schedule is very soft. … Perhaps Ingram gets traded at the Oct. 29 deadline? … Choice will be in line for work if C.J. Spiller (ankle) sits out as he should. … The Dolphins coaches have made it very clear that Thomas will be sharing the load with Lamar Miller. He’s still averaging just 7.6 touches per game on the year. .. Arian Foster (hamstring) and Ben Tate (ribs) are both in doubt for when the Texans come out of their bye. Cierre Wood was cut for smoking pot on Monday, leaving practice squadder Graham as the only healthy back currently in the organization.

do I do it? I'm leaning yes.... I like Antonio Brown though, and Terrance Williams too. but I can't ever see Williams starting on my team. Cutler being out kinda scares me, but Marshall has been pretty consistent in putting up #'s over his career

That leaves you awfully thin at WR. I'm a little too scared of a Cutler-less Marshall to blow up a solid roster like that now that it's tough to be sure he's even an upgrade over Brown. Unless your team isn't doing well, I'd stand pat.

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Originally Posted by derza222

Hilton for Witten in a .5 PPR? Current TE is Olsen, WR's likely ahead of Hilton on a weekly basis are Jordy, Torrey, Decker, and Antonio Brown with Thompkins and Terrance Williams also on the bench.

Nah. Hilton should be huge going forward and the difference between Olsen and Witten is ~1.5 points per week. I'm not adding Hilton into that trade without getting a big upgrade at TE.

Because of Forte I'm forced to start MJD against San Francisco. Would you trade Hilton for Ridley? My WR's are Garcon/Decker/Gordon/Hilton/Bowe. Or just play MJD? Also to note I'm stashing Vereen.

That is a tough one. Letting Hilton go w/Wayne out for the season seems like a bad idea to me. He could be monsterous, though he could also be a dud facing the top coverage. Personally, I think we see him maintain his position (for the most part) with DHB playing the Wayne role. I'd hold Hilton right now. NE still looks pretty bad offensively and all the RBs are getting time. Until Brady plays better football there's not a ton of hope for Ridley getting rolling, imo.

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Originally Posted by DiG

The dreaded bye week. Ive got Forte, Johnson, Mathews, and Tate on bye this week and Im 8th out of 10 teams on waiver wire...Should be interesting. Any deep sleepers this week at rb?

The roto link makes the list pretty easy. I'd say Helu then Bolden as the order for you to land a one week top play. Both have good matchups. Helu is an odd one, as he's done little up until we saw a new? formation? this week with what the Skins are calling their "turbo" package. Without knowing how much they'll use it, Helu becomes risky but I'd still list him as the top add for your bye week replacement.

Nah. Hilton should be huge going forward and the difference between Olsen and Witten is ~1.5 points per week. I'm not adding Hilton into that trade without getting a big upgrade at TE.

Looks like I may be able to pull off Terrance Williams and Olsen for Vernon Davis instead which I'd be pretty happy with.

That said, do I sell on one of my other top 4 WR's (Nelson, Decker, Torrey, Antonio Brown) with the anticipation that Hilton will bump them out of my lineup? No sense in having 5 must start guys when I can only start 4.

Looks like I may be able to pull off Terrance Williams and Olsen for Vernon Davis instead which I'd be pretty happy with.

That said, do I sell on one of my other top 4 WR's (Nelson, Decker, Torrey, Antonio Brown) with the anticipation that Hilton will bump them out of my lineup? No sense in having 5 must start guys when I can only start 4.

Davis is all over the place but I still like it as an upgrade considering he's the second best TE by average points per game. That trade has the look of a steal with Williams always looking over his shoulder for Austin.

If you're starting 4 WRs there's no real rush to move the 5th, assuming you don't have any glaring holes to fill in your starting lineup. It's not a lock that Hilton becomes the #1 for Indy so it's smart to hold and see. It doesn't hurt to shop a bit and see what comes up, though. You never know when someone will really love a guy and offer a deal you can't pass. Maybe a wide net approach, listing several of the WRs?

Davis is all over the place but I still like it as an upgrade considering he's the second best TE by average points per game. That trade has the look of a steal with Williams always looking over his shoulder for Austin.

If you're starting 4 WRs there's no real rush to move the 5th, assuming you don't have any glaring holes to fill in your starting lineup. It's not a lock that Hilton becomes the #1 for Indy so it's smart to hold and see. It doesn't hurt to shop a bit and see what comes up, though. You never know when someone will really love a guy and offer a deal you can't pass. Maybe a wide net approach, listing several of the WRs?

Yeah I don't think I'm getting any consistency out of Davis, but the upside is what I'm after - don't really get those monster games with Olsen. Williams is my WR6/7 and I like him, but can't see needing to use him except if I have an injury. Opens up a roster spot too.

I don't have to start 4 WR's but I can and have been because my flex dice rolls (MJD, Daryl Richardson) haven't worked out and those 4 have been my consistent scorers. If I can get a flex worthy RB I'll feel a lot better about my depth at that spot behind Bush and Gore. I'm so WR heavy and I don't have the flexibility to do a lot there, so while I don't need to move some of the depth it would be ideal.

Yeah I don't think I'm getting any consistency out of Davis, but the upside is what I'm after - don't really get those monster games with Olsen. Williams is my WR6/7 and I like him, but can't see needing to use him except if I have an injury. Opens up a roster spot too.

I don't have to start 4 WR's but I can and have been because my flex dice rolls (MJD, Daryl Richardson) haven't worked out and those 4 have been my consistent scorers. If I can get a flex worthy RB I'll feel a lot better about my depth at that spot behind Bush and Gore. I'm so WR heavy and I don't have the flexibility to do a lot there, so while I don't need to move some of the depth it would be ideal.

Gotcha. Yes, the RB depth is a hole so if you can get even a 1:1 swap to have something at RB, do it. I'd say try to package MJD and see if it gets any more at RB than you'd get with a straight swap.

I can no longer start T-Rich right? I know its his bye week this week and I felt liberated taking him out of the lineup, but for future weeks, I can't start him right??

Sit him unless the match up is tremendous. Assuming, of course, you have reasonably adequate depth.

I have one massively RB deficient team and will be starting Mathews and Richardson every week. I dream (in that league, anyway) of a lineup where I could sit him. My other RBs are Snelling, Blount, and Cox. Not sure if I'll even get 10 points from my RBs this week, and it's a league with plenty of bonus points.

I've got Jimmy Graham and Jordan Reed at TE. I DESPERATELY need help at RB. It's a .5PPR league. Who do you think I could/should try and move him for? A Le'Veon Bell/Zac Stacy, possibly?

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Originally Posted by scottyboy
my lord...I cannot imagine such a world where I can mention Raymell Rice's thighs around a girl and not be the only one sexually aroused

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But for everyone reading this in Buffalo and Cleveland and everywhere else, take solace in the following: As crazy as it sounds, you're lucky. Your Mount Everest experience is still ahead of you. It's waiting, and it's glorious.- Bill Simmons